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Written Question
Buildings: Fire Prevention
Tuesday 11th June 2019

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to implement a national review of fire compartmentation in residential buildings.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

There are no plans to implement a national review of compartmentalisation in residential buildings


However, I would refer the honourable Member to the Secretary of State's written statement on 6 June announcing a consultation on our proposals for a new system of building and fire safety which puts residents’ safety at its heart.​ The documents are published at:

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/building-a-safer-future-proposals-for-reform-of-the-building-safety-regulatory-system


Written Question
Grenfell Tower: Fires
Tuesday 21st May 2019

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on their decontamination of the Grenfell Tower Fire site.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

The Government is leading a programme of additional environment checks to be carried out in and around the Grenfell Tower site. This is to reassure the bereaved, survivors and wider community that any environmental risks to public health will be fully assessed and appropriate action taken. The programme is being coordinated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, who have established a Multi-Agency Partnership to provide the relevant expertise to oversee the design and delivery of the additional environmental checks, assess risks to public health and advise health partners on any additional health monitoring and treatment options for residents, should these be required. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a member of the Multi-Agency Partnership.

The environmental checks programme is regularly discussed with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and other Government departments, at Ministerial Recovery Group meetings, chaired by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.


Written Question
Housing: Fire Prevention
Tuesday 21st May 2019

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a statutory requirement for industry to quantify the carcinogenic contents of combustible materials used in construction.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

My Department issued a call for evidence to inform potential changes to fire safety guidance, which included asking for evidence on the issue of the release of toxic fumes from building materials as a result of fires. That call for evidence closed on the 15 March 2019, and we are currently analysing the responses.


Written Question
Private Rented Housing: Electrical Safety
Friday 17th May 2019

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Government plans to introduce mandatory five yearly electrical checks in the private rented sector.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

We are working to bring into force regulations on mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector as soon as possible, subject to parliamentary approval and timetable. As outlined in the Government response to the consultation on Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector, published on 29 January 2019, we are working with industry to produce guidance for landlords setting out the skills and qualifications relevant to determining competence of those carrying out electrical inspections. We have also been working with local authorities in England to develop the range of sanctions for non-compliance with the upcoming regulations.


Written Question
Buildings: Insulation
Wednesday 19th December 2018

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Government Procurement Agreement, published in 29 November 2018, which types of combustible cladding are included in the ban on the use of combustible materials announced in that press release.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

The ban on combustible materials will apply to external walls in new buildings, or those undergoing building work, which have a storey at least 18 metres above ground level and contain one or more dwellings, an institution, or a room for residential purposes (excluding any room in a hostel, hotel or a boarding house). It requires that all materials which become part of an external wall or specified attachment achieve European Class A2-s1, d0 or Class A1, other than those parts exempted by Regulation 7(3).


Written Question
Building Regulations and Fire Safety Independent Review
Wednesday 19th December 2018

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: final report, published in May 2018,, which recommendations from that report his Department plans to implement.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made on 18 December 2018 by the Secretary of State (HCWS1201).


Written Question
Building Regulations and Fire Safety Independent Review
Wednesday 19th December 2018

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: final report, published in May 2018, what the timescale is for the implementation of the recommendations in that report.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made on 18 December 2018 by the Secretary of State (HCWS1201).


Written Question
Buildings: Insulation
Tuesday 18th December 2018

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of buildings that have been constructed or refurbished which has lead to combustible materials being installed since (a) 14 June 2017, (b) 1 January 2018 and (c) 3 October 2018.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

MHCLG does not hold information on the dates cladding was installed on buildings.


Written Question
Solar Power
Wednesday 5th December 2018

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has plans to issue a public consultation on the rules governing permitted development in relation to the installation of commercial rooftop solar.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

There are extensive permitted development rights for the installation or alteration of solar equipment on non-domestic premises. They are set out in Class J of Part 14, Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. These rights are subject to limitations as well as conditions on where the equipment can be installed. There are no plans to consult on any changes to these permitted development rights.


Written Question
Business Premises: Solar Power
Wednesday 5th December 2018

Asked by: Karen Lee (Labour - Lincoln)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has plans to issue a public consultation on the rules governing permitted development in relation to the installation of commercial rooftop solar.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

There are extensive permitted development rights for the installation or alteration of solar equipment on non-domestic premises. They are set out in Class J of Part 14, Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. These rights are subject to limitations as well as conditions on where the equipment can be installed. There are no plans to consult on any changes to these permitted development rights.